The 1944-45 season belongs to the Punch Line. Maurice Richard continues his outstanding play and scores 50 goals in 50 games, smashing Joe Malone’s single season record of 44 goals that had stood since 1917-18. After Richard’s 45th goal, Malone himself presents the Rocket with the milestone puck.

It is Elmer Lach, however, who wins the scoring title and the Hart Trophy with an impressive output of 26 goals and 54 assists for a total of 80 points. The Rocket finishes second overall with 73 points. For his part, Toe Blake finishes the season with 67 points, including 29 goals.

For the second time in NHL history, three linemates finish in the top three spots in league scoring, a feat first accomplished by the Boston Bruins in 1939-40.

In his second season with the Canadiens, Bill Durnan continues his remarkable play in goal and once again records 38 wins on his way to his second straight Vezina Trophy.

The combined efforts of the Punch Line, Durnan and defenseman Emile Bouchard help lead the Canadiens to a second straight regular season title with 80 points, just three less than in the previous season.

It is no surprise when six members of the team are named to the NHL’s two All-Star teams. Durnan, Bouchard, Lach, Richard and Blake are all named to the First All-Star Team along with Detroit Red Wings defenseman Flash Hollett. Canadiens defenseman Glen Harmon is named to the Second All-Star Team.

Montreal leads the league in every category at the end of the regular season, with the most goals scored (228) and the fewest goals allowed (121) along with being the most penalized team in the league with a total of 376 penalty minutes.

Coach Dick Irvin enjoys his 100th victory behind the Canadiens’ bench at the Forum on November 26, 1944. Ironically, the 4-1 win comes at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the same team that fired Irvin after the 1939-40 season.

THE PLAYOFFS

A stunning surprise awaits Irvin’s team in the first round of the playoffs. The Canadiens face Toronto, the team that has caused them the most problems during the regular season.

The Maple Leafs shock one and all by winning the first two games in Montreal, 1-0 and 3-2. The road team continues to hold the upper hand in Game 3 as the Canadiens recover for a 4-1 win in Toronto.

After a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in overtime in the fourth game, the Canadiens bounce back in front of their fans in Game 5 with a convincing 10-3 win at the Forum.

Despite the absence of star goalie Paul Bibeault, the Maple Leafs complete their stunning series win with a 3-2 victory in the sixth game.

Lach and Richard once again shine in the playoffs, each accounting for eight points in six games. Bouchard caps a career year with seven points in the playoffs after recording 34 during the regular season.